Basking in light is one of our basic needs. It can boost our energy, elevate our mood and is important for regulating our circadian rhythm – our natural wakefulness and sleep cycle. During the long winter months, when sunlight is limited, we’re always trying to find ways to get more light.
But too much light at the wrong time can be harmful. Specifically, we need darkness to sleep. An overabundance of blue light from ever-present computers and cell phones can cause daytime fatigue and upset our natural rhythms.
While there’s no strong scientific evidence that blue light from digital devices causes damage to your eyes, there is a growing concern that blue light can have long-term effects on our health.
Here’s why: Sunlight contains visible and invisible ultraviolet light rays. Visible light rays come in different colors – red, orange, yellow, green and blue – that have varying wavelengths and emit varying amounts of energy. Warmer color light rays that have relatively long wavelengths contain less energy, and cooler colors with short wavelengths have more energy. Rays on the blue end of the spectrum have shorter wavelengths and more energy.
Blue light is the closest to invisible, ultraviolet light on the color spectrum. Ultraviolet light has the shortest wavelength and is known to be dangerous. It can burn your skin in the form of a sunburn and lead to cancer. Ultraviolet rays also can burn your eyes particularly the cornea – and lead to eye diseases such as snow blindness or welders cornea. Research also suggests and that it has a role in cataract formation.
We know less about blue light, as its effects are still being researched. But because blue light is close on the spectrum to ultraviolet light, it's caused alarm and is on the radar of ophthalmologists. Is it a health crisis? No – a lot of it is speculation and theory, although we do know that it can affect circadian rhythm and the development of melatonin in our bodies. But as people are curious, we want to educate our patients.
Blue light is everywhere, and eyes aren’t good at blocking it.
The sun is the main source. It’s also present in fluorescent lights, LED lighting, flat-screen TVs, computer screens and smartphones. These sources contain a small amount of blue light compared to the sun, but just think of the amount of time we spend on these devices and how close we put our faces to them.
Read more: New iPhone app to reduce blue light
The fear is that it's causing cumulative damage over a long period of time, as it passes through the cornea and lens and reaches the retina. One animal study showed blue light can cause toxicity to retina photosensitive cells, which are irreplaceable. The theory is that if it's toxic to animal models then it can be to human beings. (A large study that evaluated blue light in the rate of cataract formation in humans ended up being inconclusive.)
Damage to the retina can cause vision problems such as age-related macular degeneration, which can lead to permanent vision loss. Up to 9% of people will experience macular degeneration, which is the most-common reason for blindness in adults in the western world.
As we age, our cloudier eyes do a better job of filtering out dangerous UV rays and blue light. The clear eyes of children and those who've had cataract surgery may be more susceptible to damaging rays. Many of the lenses placed in the eye at the time of cataract surgery now have blue light filters in the them. Sunglasses with a blue-light filter can help.
More research is needed to determine how much natural and manmade blue light is too much for the retina and how much will lead to eye diseases, such as macular degeneration, later in life.
Meanwhile, here are a few things you can do to prevent long-term damage to your eyes:
• Limit screen time and take frequent breaks to give eyes a rest. Avoid bright screens up to three hours before bedtime.
• Use artificial tears when your eyes feel dry.
• Wear computer glasses with yellow-tinted lenses that can reduce blue light and increase contrast on screens.
• Put protective blue-light filters on computers, tablets and phones. Reduce the amount of blue light emitted from devices, which also will protect your screen.
• Use glare-reducing and anti-reflective coatings, which also block blue light.
Fatoumata Yanoga is a retinal specialist and surgeon at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, where she treats many eye diseases including, diabetic eye diseases, retinal vascular disorders, macular degeneration and retinal detachments.
FAQs
It's safe to say most of us spend a lot of time staring at screens. And that can be bad for our eyes. Blue light from electronics is linked to problems like blurry vision, eyestrain, dry eye, macular degeneration, and cataracts. Some people have sleep issues.
Does blue light from computers damage eyes? ›
When you stare at a screen for hours at a time, whether it is a computer, TV, phone or tablet, you are exposed to blue light from the device. Alarmist headlines claim blue light from too much screen time is blinding us. But there is no scientific evidence that blue light from digital devices causes damage to your eye.
What does blue light exposure from electronic devices cause? ›
Constant exposure to blue light over time could damage retinal cells and cause vision problems such as age-related macular degeneration. It can also contribute to cataracts, eye cancer and growths on the clear covering over the white part of the eye.
Do electronic devices damage your eyes? ›
While using devices will not damage your eyes permanently, staring at them for a long time can cause temporary discomfort. People experience eye strain in different ways, but symptoms can include: dry eyes. blurry vision.
Do ophthalmologists recommend blue light glasses? ›
“There is currently no evidence that blue light or screens are causing any irreversible, permanent damage, which is why the American Academy of Ophthalmology does not recommend any special eyewear for computer use," says Maturi.
Do screens cause permanent eye damage? ›
There's no proof that computer use causes any long-term damage to the eyes. But regular use can lead to eye strain and discomfort. You may notice: Blurred vision.
How long does it take for blue light to damage eyes? ›
Blue light may also damage your retinas. That's called phototoxicity. The amount of damage depends on wavelength and exposure time. Animal studies show even short exposure (a few minutes to several hours) may be harmful.
Is it better to watch TV or use your phone? ›
People with heavy TV and smartphone use said that they had worse dietary patterns and health characteristics than people who spent a lot of time in front of computers, tablets, or devices connected to a TV.
What does blue light from screens do to your brain? ›
Light from electronic screens comes in all colors, but the blues are the worst. Blue light fools the brain into thinking it's daytime. When that happens, the body stops releasing a sleep hormone called melatonin. Melatonin is nature's way of helping us wind down and prepare for bed.
How do you know if blue light is affecting you? ›
Common indications of blue light sensitivity include eye strain and discomfort after spending extended periods in front of screens. Headaches and Migraines. You may also suffer from headaches or migraines, which could be intensified by blue light exposure. Insomnia and Sleep Disturbances.
This high energy blue light passes through the cornea and lens to the retina causing diseases such as dry eye, cataract, age-related macular degeneration, even stimulating the brain, inhibiting melatonin secretion, and enhancing adrenocortical hormone production, which will destroy the hormonal balance and directly ...
Does reducing blue light help eye strain? ›
The common outcome measure was a subjective visual fatigue score. All three trials, with a combined 166 participants, reported no significant difference in visual fatigue between those wearing blue-light filtering lenses compared with those wearing lenses that don't filter blue light.
Are LED lights bad for your eyes? ›
A 2019 report by The French Agency for Food, Environment and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES) found the blue light emitted from LEDs can harm the human eye. Blue light, common in LED devices, has a phototoxic effect. This means repeated exposure can make our skin and eyes extremely sensitive to light.
What do optometrists say about blue light glasses? ›
The American Academy of Ophthalmology does not recommend blue light-blocking glasses because of the lack of scientific evidence that blue light is damaging to the eyes.
What do eye doctors think about blue light glasses? ›
“The companies that manufacture blue light glasses say that staring at screens can cause eye or retinal damage, but there is no research backing this up,” Dr. Thaker explains. “The American Academy of Ophthalmology states that you don't need them, and it doesn't recommend any special eyewear for computer users.”
When should you not wear blue light glasses? ›
If you're out in the sun or not being exposed to any artificial light, however, there's no need to wear blue light glasses. The sun's light is beneficial in regulating our body's natural systems, such as the sleep-wake cycle, body temperature and digestive system.
Is blue light from computer screens harmful to skin? ›
Research shows blue light from electronic devices can lead to changes in your skin cells, including cell shrinkage and death. These speed up the aging process. Even exposures as short as 60 minutes can trigger these changes. Too much blue light could also lead to pigmentation.
Do blue light glasses protect your eyes from computer screen? ›
Several studies suggest that blue light-blocking glasses do not improve symptoms of digital eye strain. The American Academy of Ophthalmology does not recommend blue light-blocking glasses because of the lack of scientific evidence that blue light is damaging to the eyes.
